Somvati Amavasya: Gaya Moksh Tirth Sarv Pitru Dosh Shanti Maha Puja

Purpose of This Anushthan

• A Mahashraddh on the Somvati tithi, which satisfies all ancestors

• For the ancestors’ souls to receive supreme Moksh and Vaikunth Dham

• To be free from Pitru Doshas and bring happiness, peace, growth of the family line and mutual harmony in the family

• Satisfaction (tripti) for ancestors, known and unknown, including those who died an untimely death

Signs of Pitru Dosh and Family Unrest
According to the scriptures, when the ancestors are unsatisfied, many problems begin to come in the family—

• Obstacles in the progress of children

• Quarrels and disagreements stay in the home for no reason

• Failures in work even after hard effort

• Unexplained fear remains

Importance of Tarpan on Somvati Amavasya
According to the scriptures, Monday is the day of the Moon, which is the direct representative Grah of Pitrulok. When Monday coincides with Amavasya, a spiritual energy is created in the universe. This rare meeting opens the door between Pitrulok and Prithvilok, so that the tarpan reaches the ancestors directly.
According to the Skand Puran, tarpan and daan done with devotion at Moksh Tirths on Somvati Amavasya is not just a one-day act, but gives the great punya of a whole year of Pitru-karma. For those who cannot do tarpan during the whole year or in Pitru Paksha, this holy tithi is the easiest and most fruitful chance to bring peace to all known and unknown ancestors, to be free from Pitru Doshas and to receive the lasting blessing of ancestors.
“Amavasya tu Somen saptami Bhanuna yuta. Akshayyam daan-homadyam snanam chaiva mahaphalam.”
(Snan, daan, hom and Shraddh done on an Amavasya that falls on a Monday give lasting fruit.)
Legend and Historic Importance of Gaya Dham
Gaya Ji is considered the best and supreme Tirth on the whole Earth for the Moksh of ancestors. According to the Purans, there was an Asur named Gayasur, a great Vaishnav, who did severe tapasya and received the boon that anyone who saw or touched him would receive Moksh. This began to upset the balance of creation. Then Lord Vishnu placed his feet on Gayasur’s back to hold him still, and gave him the boon that this place would be known as “Gaya Tirth.” The footprints of Lord Vishnu are still present here in the Vishnupad Mandir in the form of a stone. It is believed that doing pind daan at the Vishnupad Vedi gives the ancestors a place directly at the feet of Lord Vishnu. In the Treta Yug, Mata Sita performed pind daan at Gaya Ji itself to be free from Pitru debts.